Manchester United legend Denis Irwin has full belief that midfielder Paul Pogba can overcome an indifferent start to the season to become a 'big player' for the club.

United have dropped 7 points in their opening four matches of the season which leaves them in eighth place in the Premier League table and after an impressive performance against Chelsea on the opening weekend, Pogba failed to maintain those standards in the next three games.

The World Cup winner with France was widely believed to be leaving Old Trafford for a second time during the summer after he admitted that he wanted a 'new challenge' but Irwin thinks that he can still play a major part for United this season.

"He's got plenty of players in front of him who have got great pace and the understanding of being able to pick a pass," Irwin told Sky Sports.

"The only thing I could say is that we need consistency out of him sometimes but going forward now and particularly where we've started dominating games, he's going to be a big, big player for us."

Injury forces Paul Pogba out of France squad

The France Football Federation confirmed on Monday that the 26-year-old was forced to withdraw from the international squad with an injury.

Didier Deschamps's reigning World Cup-winners are preparing to face Albania and Group D minnows Andorra in the Euro 2020 qualifiers at the Stade de France on Saturday and next Tuesday, respectively.

Pogba played the whole 90 minutes of United's disappointing 1-1 draw against Southampton at St Mary's last Saturday and it remains unclear as to how serious the injury is.

United state on their website that the midfielder will be assessed at their training camp 'in due course'.

Ole Gunnar Soklsjaer's team will not be in action again until September 14 when they host early-season high-flyers Leicester City at Old Trafford.